Work Text:
The bell chimes telling a customer came in through the door. All the owlets in the shop big black eyes on the customer. There are several on the shelves and some on the floor heads tilts in curiosity.
"Sebastian? When did you arrive home? You said on the letter you'll be back in another week" The girl, well she's a woman now appears on the front desk with a silver owl on her shoulder. Her smiles brings him back to the old Hogwarts days when they were young not caring the outside world has for them in the future
"I got off work early, the mission wasnt that hard so i did them quickly" Sebastian's leather shoes echoes the shop. He has grown taller and more broad. His cute chubby face is slightly gone,his brown hair now is well kept but his soft brown eyes are still the same.
"Oh my Mr Sallow so industrious! What have you done to my old friend that likes to get in trouble?" Her right hand on her chest with a fake shocked face. She giggles afterwards "That sounds like you're enjoying London. Have anyone you fancy there? Maybe your colleague? Or a muggle? I'm not judging if you're with a muggle!" she sat on the chair leaning on the table. Another owl came flew down to her demanding a pet. She brings out dried beetles from a small bag wrapped on her waist.
She has become more and more beautiful everytime he comes by to visit. His eyes wanders on her face. Her hair kept in a beautiful braid, she's wearing a lipstick color that matches her skin and her eyes became more brighter. Sebastian clears his throat drawing her attention to him. His hand searches a small gift in his jacket and hands it to her "It's Matryoshka doll from Russia. An old Russian man sold them at the side of the road that I'm sure you'll love it. Open it"
She opens the wooden doll and another doll a little bit smaller inside. She open it again and again until the smallest fell out "I love it Sebastian!"
His heart nearly exploded. She loves it! Sebastian had a long dilema before coming back to wizarding world wandering what gift from the muggle world he should bring back to her. He has been working in the muggle world for 5 years, 2 years after they graduated Hogwarts. In those years, the works he got will take 2 or 3 months to complete hardly seeing her. He always brings random stuff from the muggle world. And she loves them all not caring her friends said it's weird and not romantic whereas they got lovely gifts from their lovers such as flowers, jewelries and perfumes.
But to her as long he have a thought of her during her work and have time to buy a gift for her is enough to show his love. The other frustration her friends have is her and Sebastian still haven't confess their feelings. She will respond with 'Give him some time. He's busy with work'. Her friends made a bet every year whether he's going to man up and say he loves her but the years went untill they reached 25
Sebastian smiles "Glad you love it. How's the shop going?" he pats the owl on the table it nibbles his finger
"Business is the same as usual but still remains strong. Got 3 new baby owls yesterday to train"
"Who wouldn't want to send their owls to be trained by the best and professional owl trainer? I will call them lunatic if they send their owls to other shops"
"Oh you with your words... How long you're going to be here before work starts?"
Sebastian shrugs "Maybe a week or two. Enough for me to lazy around sleeping all day" then something caught his eyes. A pink box with red ribbon laid on another table with working papers scattered on it behind her
"What's that?"
"Oh that? A baker came by dropping this off for me. You know the bakery down the street? He actually have a son around our age, he went to Durmstrang.That's why he's so unfamiliar" She stand up to grab the box and opens it infront of Sebastian revealing a small round white cake with strawberries and beautiful art of decorations "I didn't have a chance to open it. It looks appetizing don't you think? Last week he bake me a moist chocolate cake and it was the best chocolate cake i ever had!" She takes the small spon from her coffee mugs and scoop the cake "Delicious as always! Here try it Sebastian. He's a good baker" she takes another scoop brings it to his lips
His eyebrows frowned looking at the cake and then her and then at the cake again and at her "Who is this bakery man giving you cakes everyday? You never mentioned this on the letters" he pushes her hand down slowly eyes focus on her in confusion
She eat takes the bite and let out a heavy sigh "I told you he's the son of the baker down the street. He arrived here to stay 2 months ago, he came by within the first week it was confusing at first because he's not sending or buying an owl. He came to talk but he's a nice man"
Sebastian mind went blank,mouth gaps open. His thoughts went wild thinking about this baker seeing his girl everyday while he's away. Stealing her attention and affection from him.
Before he wants to ask more questions the door bell rang "Sebastian boy? When did you came back home son?"
Her father pats his shoulder with a wide smile. Her mother tag along behind him giving him a big hug and kisses on his cheeks "You've gone taller than before Sebastian! Stronger too!" her hands squeeze his biceps
"Of course he gain some muscle. Being an Obliviator is a hard job! How are you son?" like a normal father always do he pats his shoulder too rough
"I'm doing good. Work was like the usual. The recent missions was easy than before--"
Her mother loud voice interrupt Sebastian holding the cake "Look honey, the baker son gave our daughter a strawberry cake! Such a nice boy" the old couple took a few bites of the cake and compliments the baker
"A baker as my son-in-law sounds not bad right Sebastian? He'll bake us delicious cakes like this everyday sounds like heaven!" her mother strokes her daughter's cheeks "Give him a chance love. He has good intentions"
Her father grumbles in disagreement "Don't go straight there! What about Conrad's son? He's an Alchemist a man with a career. It's not everyday a fine man like him have an interest on our daughter"
"Who?!" There's another man seeking her attention? Not just the baker's son? What more secrets she hasn't told him?
Her soft hand stops Sebastian from his deep thoughts "It is nothing Sebastian. They'll get bored of me after few attempts"
"Sebastian give us some opinions. You've been close to our daughter since 11 so which one suits her best? The baker or the alchemist? I love them both they're the sweetest but our daughter isn't getting younger. She needs a husband that always there for her"
"Ummm.. I don't know-- i don't know any of them so i can't really judge" his throat tightened lips trembling trying his best to hide his sadness
"Sebastian got you this sweetheart? A muggle toy?... interesting. Conrad's son gave her a jewelry with big gemstone 3 days ago. Just telling" her father hides his smugs turning his head with a swift "Come love the owls needs to be fed" the old couple went to the room at the back hand in hand secretly snickering
"Sorry about that. Don't take their words seriously please you know my parents are" she gave Sebastian's a soft hand squeeze
"Is it true? There's two man came to you?"
Her eyes drift to somewhere else. Hand leaving his to pet the own on her shoulder for comfort "Yes it's true. I didn't tell you about this because i feel like it's not important to you.. It's between me and them"
"How on earth it's not important? These two man are asking your hand to marriage! I'm your best friend i should know about this"
"I know. It's my mother's idea introducing me to those men saying I'm getting lonely being alone without a companion with me.... or a companion that i can see everyday... I declined the idea but you know my mother she does it anyways"
Sebastian lean to her level eyes searches hers "Do you like one of them?"
She let out a scoffed "Don't be ridiculous Sebastian! I knew them for about a month or 2 or more i can't really remember. All i know is that the baker will work with his father and the alchemist will open a shop in this town. Being smart girl i am, that's probably why my mother and father chose those two men because they have their own shops... always present"
Feeling awkward she attempt to walk away busying herself with the owls. Sebastian stops her by grabbing her hand with both his hand resting on the table. His eyes sharp on hers "Give me one year. One year for me to get a stable daily job so we can see each other everyday. If i didn't get one i will still quit and work any jobs available. I will do it for you" the way he said her name fluttered her heart. His words was genuine,he spoke them with his open heart.
"Don't do that Sebastian... You worked so hard to be an Obliviator don't waste it all the years to get the job. You're so happy having adventures in the muggle world and I'm happy you're experiencing it. Continue your dreams Sebastian..."
He squeezes her hand softly eyes still on hers "What if my dream is to be with you every minute of my life?"
She snickers a little bit eyes avoiding his brown eyes "Are you telling me something Sebastia--"
"Yes! I'm telling you I've been loving you since the first day we met. Even at 11 i know you're one for me forever. My uncle said school love doesn't last but he's wrong with that. My love for you never fades but it gets stronger day by day. I didn't want to be an Obliviator because they pay me good amount of money for us but i chased wealth more than you. I regret everytime i had to leave for work" her eyes widened hearing his short breathe tears flowing down his cheeks "Please wait for me. I can quit my job right now. I can owl them this instinct. Please don't leave me. I love you so much"
His cries became louder as her hand wiping his tears soaking her sleeves. Her own on her shoulder came down watching the man crying with the other owl "Yes i will wait for you Sebastian. I've always has been waiting for you since we graduated from Hogwarts. They said i should confess to you however i didn't want to interrupt your successful life. I was ready you'll find someone that's on the same level as you well look at me I'm just an owl trainer. You're a man with career certainly I'm not your type. As long you're happy I'm happy"
Sebastian sniffs his tears starts to stop. Face all red even his eyes. He cares her hand from wiping his cheeks "Why do you think i will seek someone else attention? I want you and only you. No one can replace you from my heart. You'll be in my heart forever"
She smiles now both hands on his cheeks stroking them "Look at you. All red look the owls are looking at you!"
The owls are all watching the moment of him crying his heart out for their trainer. Sebastian scoffs "I sure made a scene huh?"
The back door opens with a force her parents came out with big wide smiles carved on their faces. Her mother claps "I have been waiting for this since you two still in Hogwarts! Better late than never aye?" she hugs her daughter from behind smiling at Sebastian. Her father walks behind them with a nod
Sebastian wipes his face with his sleeves feeling embarrassed "No more on missions in a year i heard son?"
"Yes sir. Give me a year to settle everyone. Another job, a house,everything i will do those within a year"
Her father nods in approval hand out for a handshake "That's my boy!"
"While you're on his. Maybe a ring to scare the boys out from your love?" her mother hold her left hand out, fingers lifting her fourth finger
With a flash Sebastian stand up straight "Yes! I'll find a ring immediately! Wait for me!" he runs out the shop in a run
Her mother laughs "Oh honey he's perfect for you"
It was nighttime, Sebastian still haven't come back. She was worried at first but her parents comfort her down maybe he's tired went back to his house to rest.After having dinner the small family spent time together playing puzzles for an hour and went to sleep but before that a knock came from downstairs at the shop. Her father volunteered to go downstairs. Living a house that's connected to their shop was the bestest idea.
A minute later her father called her to come down. Her mother gave her a long cardigan to cover her night dress
A familiar voice calls her name as she takes the last steps of the stairs. Sebastian hair is a messed, his pants stained with muds,his tie is no where can be seen,shirt button down and his blazer torn a little "What happened to you Sebastian?!"
"That's not important love.This is more important" he suddenly on his knee a red box in his hand. With a smile Sebastian opens the box revealing a gold ring with a big gemstone of her favorite color "Had a hassle finding this gemstone.I went to 6 different stores to find this perfect ring for you and it's worth it.Everything for you worths my time love. I would do anything to satisfy your needs just to bring a smile on your pretty face..." He says your full name gently "Will you marry me?"
Her heart touched by his afford to find the perfect ring just for her satisfaction.He went hours and walks long hours for the ring.The man she has been madly in love with proposed to her to their happily ever after like the fairy tale muggle books he bought for her.The ending of happiness.
"Yes Sebastian i will marry you"
Sebastian smiles and take her left hand sliding the ring on her ring finger. The ring is more beautiful on her.He then kisses her hand "You proposed to me in my pajamas..."
He laughs "That doesn't matter love. You're my soon-to-be wife that's matter. I outrun those two men!"
"It wasn't a competition at the first place..."
"It is to me love" Sebastian hugs hers kissing her head
"Good work son. Your parents must be proud what kind a man you turned out" her father strokes Sebastian back praising him. A crying gasp took their attention,her mother stands not far from them "The long waits is over. My daughter is getting married to the perfect man!" she hugs them both tightly
"Sweets don't kill them before their wedding!" her father jokes but the feeling of overwhelmed too intolerable he joins in hugging his new family member "They are growing up too fast aren't they my sweets?"
"Too fast for my taste.It feels like yesterday they are still in Hogwarts.Have you eaten Sebastian? We have leftovers in the kitchen.Help yourself" Her parents left the new couple alone. They both goes to the kitchen holding hands.
"Mother had a meeting with my aunt hence i made dinner.It's porridge, not exciting but it fills you up" They both sits next to each other. Feeling affectionate she feeds Sebastian.
"Stop looking at me like that..." red ears and cheeks avoiding his eyes
"I can't look at my fiancée lovingly?" his fingers strokes her hair slowly
She scrunch her nose proceed feeding him the porridge. Sebastian pinch her nose "At 25 you're still like you were at school. Scrunching your nose out of annoyance
"Hpmhh, eat faster so you can rest. Father keeps few of his old clothing somewhere for you to wear for the night.You know the shower at right?"
"Does that mean we can sleep in the same bed?" He smirks
Her nose scrunch once more. She grabs a spoonful of porridge and shove it into his mouth "Eat by yourself! I'll get your pajamas!" she stomp her leaving Sebastian at the kitchen to search her father's old pajamas. Sebastian laugh, he finished his food and took shower. The pajamas for him was already in the basket in the bathroom with fresh towels.After he done freshening up, his heart beats faster as he slowly walks to her room. He knocks 3 times and opens the door.The only light in her room was the moonlit her room. Her bed was under the glass window shining her up. Steadily he approach her bed and gets under the cover. He hugs her from behind giving one long kiss on her head "Goodnight love"
She caress his hand "Goodnight. I love you... "
"I love you too"
The words they desperately wanting to tell to each other has finally come to end the years of yearning for each other.
It took Sebastian a year and 5 months to finally have a daily job at the Daily Prophet. A little overdue but it's forgivable. He recently purchased a land near the town and planning to build a big house for her, her parents and Anne to live together. Not long after their house was built. It was time for them to owl their wedding invitations to their friends and professor at Hogwarts. When the letter reaches them, they smiles reading 'We are grateful to invite you to our wedding on 22nd March. We hope seeing your at our special day. Love, Sebastian Sallow and (Full name)'